Clayton Oliver and Tom Stewart will both miss in Round 8, causing chaos in AFL Fantasy and SuperCoach as the teams were announced on Thursday.
On Oliver, Melbourne declared: “Oliver will miss the Demons’ Round 8 match against West Coast to prioritise his wellbeing. Following open dialogue between Clayton and the club, it was decided that missing this weekend’s game was the best thing for Clayton’s health.”
Demons General Manager of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said: “Clayton has had a difficult week personally and as such, both he and the club have agreed that it would be best for him not to play against the Eagles on Saturday.
“We expect Clayton to return to the program next week, but as always his mental and physical health will be the priority.”
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin heaped praise on young gun Xavier Lindsay. He said: “He’s just an impressive kid.
“Since the day he walked in, he’s been very coachable. Whatever you teach him or tell him to do, he goes and does it. He sees the game incredibly well and I can see him being a future leader at our footy club.”
Tom Stewart will miss Geelong’s game with Collingwood having experienced a knee issue last round.
Geelong’s update said: “Stewart makes way for Duncan and will miss Saturday’s clash with knee soreness.”
GWS revealed Josh Kelly will miss 3-4 weeks with a hip injury. The GWS update said: “Kelly will miss the Sydney Derby due to hip joint aggravation.
“The vice-captain is expected to be sidelined for the next 3-4 weeks as he reduces his training load to allow the discomfort to settle.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed former midfield premo Tom Mitchell is close to returning to fitness after a long-term injury lay-off.
McRae said: “Tom is close, he is a couple of weeks away. He is excited for that. There is a bit of energy around him in the gym and out on the track because he knows he is getting close.
“It’s been a long journey for him. He still has a few things to get through to get there, but he is doing match play now and a lot of things. All going to plan, he will play in a couple of weeks.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon confirmed young gun Hugo Garcia will play this week, having been subbed off last round.
He said: “He’s great. I understand there’s been a lot of noise about it. He was like ‘I’m no victim. You just coach action’. He’ll play this week, he’s fine.”
Sydney named Ben Paton on their extended bench for Sunday’s game against GWS but provided an update: “Paton has been named on the extended bench after he suffered a calf strain against the Gold Coast and was subbed out at halftime.”
